By Ukorebi Esien
The crisis in the Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is festering as some aggrieved members are still at daggers drawn with the State Chairman, Barr. Venatius Ikem.
It is obvious that the ghost of the face off between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike and former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku before and after the 2023 presidential elections which factionalized the party from top to bottom is still hovering.
The party in the state is currently grappling with a deepening internal crisis as members of its State Executive Committee (SEC) and key stakeholders have dragged the State Chairman, Barr. Venatius Ikem, into the spotlight over allegations of misrule, financial opacity, and betrayal of the party’s opposition stance.
What began as murmurs of discontent has snowballed into a statewide revolt, factionalising the SEC into three factions, with a faction of 21 out of 36 SEC members accusing Ikem of running the party like a personal empire since his assumption of office in September 2021.
The group claims that the chairman has deliberately sidelined party structures, taken unilateral decisions, and failed to call regular meetings — practices they describe as dictatorial.
In a communique dated March 28, 2025, one of the factions consisting of 21 members convened an extraordinary meeting citing Section 24(4) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), expressing deep concern over the declining fortunes of the party in the state.
According to the communiqué, a string of high-profile defections has weakened the party’s structure and undermined its influence in recent months.
Among the reasons cited for the mass exodus of party members include what the executives describe as “undemocratic decisions” by Barr. Ikem.
They alleged that his unilateral actions have alienated key figures, such as Barr. Attah Ochinke (former House of Reps candidate for Ikom/Boki), Hon. Margaret Okon (Assistant State Women Leader, South), Hon. (Chief) Emmanuel Etene (Assistant State Organizing Secretary, South), Chief Ashibi John (Ex-Officio 4, North), several chapter chairmen, and ward executives.
Latest in the gale of decamping is the 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the state, Dr Emana Duke Ambroose-Amawhe who few days ago announced her defection to the APC.
The letter also accusedthe State Chairman of fraternizing with top-ranking members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that this has compromised his ability to perform his opposition duties effectively.
In a statement made available to our correspondent, Hon. Rita Ekpenyong, Assistant State Secretary (South), said the SEC issued a formal communiqué inviting Ikem to appear before the committee on April 10 to respond to the growing concerns but “he ignored the invitation and a follow-up seven-day grace period, showing total disregard for the structures that put him in office”.
The accusations also extended to an alleged financial mismanagement. Party officers claim Ikem has run the party’s finances without transparency or documentation. “There’s no traceable record of income or expenditure. We are demanding a full audit of the finances under his tenure,” said one official.
Comrade Egbe Awo, Assistant Organizing Secretary (Central), lamented what he termed a leadership failure, noting that Ikem’s high-handed approach has led to the exodus of several influential party members.
“He has turned the secretariat into a fortress of fear. Party members are threatened for speaking out,” Awo alleged.
Of particular concern to the aggrieved members is the alleged relationship between Ikem and chieftains of the ruling APC. Though specifics remain unnamed, the SEC claims that Ikem’s closeness to APC figures has neutralized the PDP’s ability to function as an effective opposition.
“He is fraternizing with those we’re supposed to challenge. That is unacceptable,” a stakeholder insisted.
Hon. Agabi Jacobs, Assistant Youth Leader (North), reaffirmed the group’s commitment to following due process but warned that if the NEC fails to act, legal redress will be pursued saying , “We are not trying to destroy the party; we are trying to save it. If that means going to court, so be it”.
Esse Joseph, Assistant State Secretary (North), accused the PDP under Ikem of losing its voice.
He said, “Look around. Minor projects are being paraded by the state government as monumental achievements, and the PDP is silent. Our party is failing its constitutional role as an opposition”.
The SEC is now considering suspending Ikem and installing a caretaker committee to steer the party until a resolution is reached. Ikem has yet to publicly address the allegations, but insiders suggest he may soon break his silence and mount a counteroffensive.
As the party teeters on the edge of an internal collapse, observers say the PDP’s fate in Cross River may depend on whether it can resolve this crisis before it causes irreparable damage ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking on phone, April 16, with the state Financial Secretary, Comrade Chris Edadi who is a member of the state working committee and believed to be in the state Chairman’s faction, he noted that the chairman had done no wrong, as constitutionally he met with the SWC and the none state working committee members are feeling agreieved for what is irrelevant.
“We have SWC members who have offices in the secretriat and go to work everyday…these people who don’t even have offices in the secretriat think they should enjoy the same privileges like the SWC members.
“The chairman met with us and LG leaders and they summoned the chairman to also meet with them. Their agitations are inconsequential. They rant in the day and turn behind at night to beg. Whatever petition or communique they have issued is dead on arrival” Edadi said
Recall that a faction of the party in the state had sacked the state chairman few months ago but he was reinstated by the national body of the party.
